US3566869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum-utilizing hygienic teeth-cleaning system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-12-26
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1988-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A system for cleaning teeth comprising a vacuum pump and a selected one of a number of mass-produced mouthpieces, fitting somewhat loosely over the user''s teeth. Via the closed mouth and sealed tubular connections the pump''s suction is placed on a measured quantity of liquid dentifrice, which may contain both a cleanser and an agent for preventing or inhibiting pyorrhea and tooth decay. After all the dentifrice is sprayed on and passes over the teeth the pump''s motor automatically stops. The dentifrice and food particles are prevented from entering the pump by a water-containing trap in the suction line. Most of the parts are of synthetic plastic, formed in quantity production molds.
Inventors
- 👤 David Lamar Crowson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/02; A61C17/0211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A hygienic teeth-cleaning system comprising: a container for holding liquid dentifrice, having an upper opening, exposed to the ambient air when the container is in use; a mouthpiece, comprising: a forward projection adapted to be sealingly clamped between the lips of a user; upper and lower sockets for fitting over the teeth of the user, said sockets being in liquid-flow communication; fluid-conducting means, comprising an inlet passage in said forward projection, for conveying liquid dentifrice under suction into the mouth, and passage means alongside the sockets for conveying said dentifrice under suction to various locations adjacent the teeth; apertures in the walls of said sockets for conducting the liquid dentifrice to and over the teeth; and conduit means comprising an outlet passage in said forward projection for conveying the liquid dentifrice under suction from the sockets out of the mouth; a vacuum pump for exerting suction on the mouth and teeth and on the said container and the liquid dentifrice in it; power-exerting means for operating said pump; liquid-conveying means flow-connected to and between said container and inlet passage for conveying the liquid dentifrice, under pump suction, to said inlet passage; liquid-conducting means, flow-connected to and between said pump and said outlet passage, for conveying under suction used dentifrice and such food particles as were in the user''s teeth from the mouthpiece to a location outside the mouth; and the said container, liquid-conveying means, inlet and outlet passages, and liquid-conducting means being in continual intercommunication with each other and with the mouth of the user during operation of the system, constituting a one-way composite passage for the flow of liquid dentifrice under pump suction from the container, over the teeth, out of said mouthpiece, and thru said liquid-conducting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
289 words
A hygienic teeth-cleaning system comprising: a container for holding liquid dentifrice, having an upper opening, exposed to the ambient air when the container is in use; a mouthpiece, comprising: a forward projection adapted to be sealingly clamped between the lips of a user; upper and lower sockets for fitting over the teeth of the user, said sockets being in liquid-flow communication; fluid-conducting means, comprising an inlet passage in said forward projection, for conveying liquid dentifrice under suction into the mouth, and passage means alongside the sockets for conveying said dentifrice under suction to various locations adjacent the teeth; apertures in the walls of said sockets for conducting the liquid dentifrice to and over the teeth; and conduit means comprising an outlet passage in said forward projection for conveying the liquid dentifrice under suction from the sockets out of the mouth; a vacuum pump for exerting suction on the mouth and teeth and on the said container and the liquid dentifrice in it; power-exerting means for operating said pump; liquid-conveying means flow-connected to and between said container and inlet passage for conveying the liquid dentifrice, under pump suction, to said inlet passage; liquid-conducting means, flow-connected to and between said pump and said outlet passage, for conveying under suction used dentifrice and such food particles as were in the user''s teeth from the mouthpiece to a location outside the mouth; and the said container, liquid-conveying means, inlet and outlet passages, and liquid-conducting means being in continual intercommunication with each other and with the mouth of the user during operation of the system, constituting a one-way composite passage for the flow of liquid dentifrice under pump suction from the container, over the teeth, out of said mouthpiece, and thru said liquid-conducting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, in which said upper and lower sockets are fixedly joined by a partition between them, and in which said conduit means for conveying the dentifrice out of the mouth comprises: an exhaust passage thru said partition for conducting the dentifrice from one of said sockets to the other socket; and a passage flow-connecting said other socket with said liquid conducting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A system as set forth in claim 1 in which said upper and lower sockets loosely fit over the teeth, having substantial clearances for liquid dentifrice between said socket walls and teeth; and in which said apertures comprise a multiplicity of tiny holes, sufficiently small in diameter, relative to the cross-sectional areas of said liquid-conveying means and conduit means and liquid-conductIng means to insure that the liquid dentifrice is sprayed onto the teeth from all of said tiny holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, in which said projection is vertically thinner than the height of said sockets and comprises: a middle portion having two conduits that form parts of said liquid-conveying means and of said conduit means; and inclined sidewalls, tapering from said middle portion to end portions, each of which has a vertical thickness that is well below that of said middle portion and facilitates firm closing of the lips over said projection and sealing of the lips and mouth against suction from said pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as set forth in claim 2, in which said fluid-conducting means encompasses the whole of said partition, and in which said walls comprise integral sidewalls of said sockets and of said fluid-conducting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, in which the said container is calibrated with graduations that indicate selectable volumes of dentifrice to be used in operations of the system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, in which said power-exerting means comprises: an electric motor; and control means for automatically determining the period of operation of said pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system as set forth in claim 7, in which said control means is adjustable for selection from different periods of pump operation, and in which the said container is calibrated with graduations that indicate selectable volumes of dentifrice to be used, said graduations being marked in time-periods of the pump operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, in which said liquid-conducting means comprises: a reservoir, partially filled with air, of a volume large enough to contain all the used dentifrice and food particles that have come from the mouth when said dentifrice container is emptied by the pump''s suction and at the same time to contain a remaining layer of air in the top part of the reservoir; sealed conduit means leading to the reservoir from the mouthpiece; and sealed conduit means leading from the reservoir to the pump; said reservoir having an opening, and a closure for the opening comprising means for sealing the opening except when the closure is opened.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system as set forth in claim 9, in which: said reservoir is adapted to hold a quantity of water for mixing with the used dentifrice and trapping any food particles coming from the mouth; said first-named sealed conduit means comprises a tube having an open end that is immersed in said water; and said second-named conduit means comprises a tube having an open end in the air in the top part of the reservoir.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |